coolcolin5
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Canada
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Post subject: The OC Season 2 Fanfic! By Coolcolin5@hotmail.com
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 10:25 am
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Disclaimer: I do not own the OC. Its just that fox left us off until October 31 and lets face it true fans can't wait that long
The following takes place following the Season final. A special thank you to HOTTERTHNU, my beta who did a amazing job editing all my chapters. Please review every chapter. Its what keeps me writing! I accept both signed and anonymous reviews. Enjoy.
Chapter 1- All Lost
The air stood still as Seth took a deep breath before pummeling into a high wave. Salty tears falling from his face, his breath cold, waves continuously hitting the Summer Breeze. The warm sun felt like ice against his skin.
"Kirsten it's okay, we're going to get through this," Sandy's warm words slightly comforting her. Tears mirrored her son's.
"Ryan, Ryan!" Theresa said almost yelling. Ryan gave a quick jerk forward.
"Yeah, sorry" Ryan sighed, a frown on his face.
Theresa adjusted her mirror on her car and looked directly at Ryan, "Are you going to be ok?"
The sun starting to go down, Seth realized that traveling to Tahiti right now might not be the best idea. What else did he have? Taking a deep breath he stood, pulling a rope and securing it to a notch. Then shifting to the opposite side of the boat he changed the direction of the sail to match the wind. The only thing that took his mind off life itself was sailing. Years before Ryan Atwood was ever destined to leave his life, Seth's only true friend was a boat. That boat could take him anywhere. Out of his sorry life and to a New World full of hope and friends. Who knew that the place he had grown up to hate had changed so magnificently by the appearance of one human being? All he need was a real friend, a true friend, that was now gone. Seth screamed at the top of his lungs. Dropping what lay in his hands. Tears flooding through his eyes, screaming at the top of his lungs and he couldn't stop. Never...
Kirsten walked up to Seth's closed door. Knocking softly and reserving no answer, "Seth, are you ok? I know it's hard. We will get through this." Kirsten quickly turned away from the door. Her face almost breaking up into tears, she walked back into her room, seeing Sandy lying on the bed. She walked over and gave him a light kiss on the check.
"I suppose Seth isn't taking it well," Sandy said in a soft voice.
"No, he didn't even open his door."
'Well, he's young, he'll adapt."
Kirsten forced back a tear. "Its just Ryan was Seth's friend, he's grown so much. With Ryan gone how will Seth survive?"
Sandy kissed her and slowly pulled away. "He'll be all right. We'll all be all right."
The night was cold for Seth. He had landed on a small island, about three hours from Newport, and unrolled his sleeping bag. His parents would most likely have found the note by or would surely find it by tomorrow. It was hard to see how they would react to him leaving for suck a long time. It was hard to see how summer would react to his letter. His dad had once made him promise when Ryan had just started living with his family, that he would never run away, No matter how bad it got. He wasn't running away, he was fulfilling a life long sailing dream. Just as he had planned to do before Ryan came. Picking up where he had left off, that's it. Seth unzipped his sleeping bag and crawled in, his boat tied firmly to two trees. Looking up at the stars, as their glow entranced him into sleep.
The warm California sun brightly shone through the Cohen's bedroom window. Sandy stood up and got dressed, it was Sunday, and he hated Sunday. Sunday was when the bad things happened. Yesterday, Saturday, wasn't the greatest day ever either. He then walked to Seth's room. Reached for the door, began to turn, when a loud ring screamed throughout the house. It was the door, the first bad thing that was about to happen on Sunday, was behind that door, Sandy thought to himself. Opening the front door, Sandy saw Summer.
"Well your not so bad," Sandy said jokingly.
"How's Seth?" She said in a low toned voice.
"What a coincidence, I was just going to get Seth. I haven't seen him since Ryan left." Sandy spoke with a smile on his face. "But I'm sure he would much rather talk to you then me."
"Thanks," a dim smile on her face.
Summer walked past Mr. Cohen and to Seth's room.
"Cohen," Summer called to Seth. "I'm coming in so you better be decent!"
Sliding the door open, and looking in, Summer found the room empty. She walked in and looked around, when two letters caught her attention. She picked up the one marked Summer and using her fingernail ripped it open. Unfolding it she began to franticly read. Kirsten opened Seth's door to find Summer almost in tears.
"Summer what's wrong," Kirsten called.
"Seth's gone," Summer cried. Sandy now appeared behind his wife.
Sandy looked at Kirsten, "Damn I hate Sundays."
"Marissa Cooper!" Julie yelled. "Have you been drinking?"
Marissa lay half passed out on the floor. The glass flask lay at her side. She blinked several times, trying to shake off the pounding hangover. To no avail, she stood up in front of her mother.
"Mom," Marissa winced.
"Marissa Cooper!" Julie's voice rose in volume, "This is because of that stupid boy Ryan leaving. He got that cheap girl pregnant. You should just be lucky it wasn't you!
"Mom," Marissa yelled back. "Who told you?"
Julie stepped closer to Marissa. "I overheard at the wedding, and lucky I did. You should be happy that that filth is going back to the garbage can he fell out of.
"Speaking of filth," Marissa blurted out.
"What did you just say to me?" Julie said shouted erupting with anger.
"I called you what you are. The only reason I'm here is because Caleb forced me."
"What, did he put a gun to your forehead?" Julie spoke with a sarcastic smile.
"No, but he wouldn't buy dad's restaurant unless I agreed to live with you."
Julie's face turned red, her anger now so intense, she raised her hand to slap her daughter but caught herself before doing so. She turned and ran out of the room. Marissa walked over to her new dresser, reached into it and pulled out a clear bottle, filled with a clear substance. She uncapped it and drank.
A strong pull released a small amount of slack. Pulling it again he found the rope tight, reaching down and tying the knot to the bottom of the boat. Rocking up and down, Seth fell spread out on the small deck of the boat, exhausted. Sleeping on the ground wasn't as much fun as he had been led to believe. Seth opened his backpack and grabbed a squeeze bottle half full of water. He opened the top and drank.
He was tired but there was no time to stop. He had to sail all day if he wanted to get to the next island. Seth turned suddenly to see a large tree on the main shore. He had never gone past it. Seth unfolded the map that Ryan had given back to him and immediately thought of his lost friend.
Ryan flipped down the car sun blocker looking into its small mirror. Within it lay an unfamiliar face, yes it was his, but behind that, behind the face, there was emptiness. Theresa looked over smiling at Ryan.
"It's going to be good to have you back," Theresa whispered softly.
Ryan turned his head away from Theresa. "Well, I guess it might be good to go home."
"My mom said you could stay in the guest room," A smile on Theresa's face.
Ryan smiled, "Great, thanks," A frown on his face.
Ryan didn't want to think about the words, but he couldn't help it. Ryan "could" stay in the guest room, or he could stay with Theresa. Wait no, he loved Marissa and she loved him, it's just how is he going to...Ryan caught himself rambling on, must have got it from Seth…Seth, he was so mad at him. He just didn't understand and couldn't. Even so, he thought Seth would understand. When Ryan entered Newport Seth had no friends and truly the more he thought about it, he didn't ever have any real friends either until him.
"I just wish he could understand," Ryan mumbled.
"What?" Theresa asked.
"Nothing," Ryan wiped an eye, hiding a single tear from Theresa.
The phone rang loud in Caleb's office. The old man sat in his chair staring into space. He had never had this problem before. He could always solve anything. He picked up the phone.
"Mr. Nichol," grunted a deep voice on the end of the phone. "This is Jon Stephen, I'm with the state attorney's office. There is a little problem with your construction company and I'm going to be the one to fix it." Caleb stood from his chair.
"Really, and what might that problem be?"
"Mr. Nichol we both know what I mean. In a few weeks I'll have enough evidence to freeze your assets and sent your sorry ass to jail."
Theresa's car rolled to a halt. Ryan opened the door and grabbed his bag from the back.
"So how did the Cohens take it?" Theresa asked.
Ryan's eyes met Theresa's. "They took it well, and Sandy and Kirsten understood why I had to leave."
"And Seth?"
Ryan's gaze broke from Theresa eyes and darted for the ground. "We really didn't talk. He was just sad to see me go I guess."
"Its ironic isn't it?" Theresa uttered.
"What?"
Ryan looked at Theresa, she was thinking hard about the words she was about to say.
"Nothing, never mind."
Theresa walked towards her mother's small house, opened the door and called out.
"Mom, you home?"
She went in, holding the door for Ryan, and walked into the kitchen where she found a note. A note, Ryan thought, that brings back memories.
Sorry Theresa, I was called in to take Kathryn's shift at the restaurant. Be home at 11:00.
Love Mom,
"Well Ryan I'll show you your room and you can get unpacked."
For a split second it felt the Cohens never had existed. It had just been a dream and now it was time to wake up. He wasn't a smart kid given a second chance. He was a stupid street kid who got a chick pregnant. The story was old. Ryan exhaled and with it a part of him left. All he knew was he would half to struggle through this...Alone.
End Of Chapter
A special thank you to HOTTERTHNU, who did an amazing job editing all my chapters. Please review every chapter. Enjoy Chapter 2!
Chapter 2 – Too Sweet to Be Real
"I can take it from here," Ryan said looking at Sandy.
Sandy stood back as Ryan walked towards his mother's house. Ryan went to the door and unlocked it with his key. Opening the door to find the place empty. Ryan drew a sharp intake of breath. Oh God, he thought. Walking over to the counter he saw a note. Picking it up he couldn't believe what he was reading. Sandy walked in and realizing what had happened, spoke.
"Come on lets go."
Ryan's eyes awoke quickly as his dream or nightmare ended. He found himself in a small, jail sized room. The room was dark and the only light that penetrated it was the light of the dimly lit moon outside his windows. Looking over at the clock he saw it was 2:00am. Just ten short hours ago he had left home to come home, left a friend to live a new life. He would call Seth in the morning, see if they could talk. It would be hard but he didn't want to lose his first real friend. Ryan's eyes closed, blocking out the light of moon, as he slowly drifted back into the only place he could be happy right now.
Marissa slowly walked from he bedroom down two flights of stairs to a table lit by candlelight. As she looked down the hall she could see he mother and Caleb eating quietly and making small talk. Taking another step, trying to go unnoticed, to no avail for the castle house echoed at any slight footstep.
"Hello," Julie said pleasantly, as if nothing had ever happened.
"Hi mom," Marissa smiling back, "You guys seem to be enjoying yourself."
Julie darted a stare at her new husband. Caleb, clearing his throat, opened his mouth to speak.
"Yes, well your mother has informed me of a little argument that occurred this morning."
Julie's gaze shifted from Caleb to Marissa. "Yes, where you made up a very stupid lie," putting on a half smile as Julie spoke. "I know you were angry, this year hasn't been easy for you, and that explains why you would make up such a bold lie about Caleb forcing you to come live with us."
Marissa smirked, "I wasn't li..." A loud ring came from down the hallway. Julie stood and almost had to start to jog to get the phone.
Caleb stared at Marissa. "We had a deal and in the business I'm in, breaking your deals is as good as killing someone. You know that check hasn't cleared yet. You might want to rethink your actions. And please note that if this ever comes back to bite me in the ass, I can make your life heaven or hell!"
Julie returned to the table after being entranced in her phone conversation. "So what were you two talking about?"
Standing up from the table Marissa said, "Dad was just informing me that I am going to go to hell." Marissa put on a dangerous smile as she walked away from the table. When Marissa was out of sight Julie turned to Caleb.
"Isn't that sweet she called you dad!"
Seth looked at his map only an hour till his first supply stop. He had borrowed some money from the family safe, his parents had no idea that he knew the combination, of course he would pay the money back. Sure he would have to pick up a lot of sailing lesson shifts when he returned, but he needed to get away. He missed the solitude. Nearing the point on the map Seth untied a rope, putting it in his mouth for safekeeping he crawled under the sail, too lazy to go around. He pulled the rope, which shifted the sails.
"Good now we're headed to port." Seth stood pointing at his destination. Seth lay back down on the ship. He looked across the water, then at the birds and then his eyes met the sky...
Ryan's eyes slowly opened and met the blue sky outside the small window. He smiled, not knowing why, he just had a feeling like he should be smiling. Theresa knocked on the door softly.
"Ryan, you up?"
"Yep," Ryan responded. Theresa opened the door and walked in.
"Hey, how'd you sleep?"
Ryan sat up from his laying position. "Good." He couldn't tell her about the constant dreams about his life, old life with his first real family. At one time he could tell Theresa. At one time he could tell her anything. She was his best friend. His first love, which was really more like his first partner. Marissa was his first love. It's only been one day, pull yourself together. It will get easier with time, Ryan thought.
"If I remember," Theresa said sitting on Ryan's bed, "You're a pretty good breakfast cook."
Ryan smiled, "Right, toast."
Theresa inched closer to Ryan. Ryan and Theresa's faces slowly began to move closer. Ryan's warm breathe on her face. Their lips touched softly. Ryan moved closer and began to take over the kiss.
"Theresa honey," her mom yelled. "Come have some breakfast."
Their lips separated from each other. Ryan opened his eyes and was almost surprised to see Theresa because through the kiss he had been thinking of another girl... Marissa.
After dinner Julie came into her daughter's room. "Summer's on the phone for you sweetie," she passed the phone to Marissa.
"Summer, hi."
"Cohen's gone."
"Seth went where, Summer?"
"To Tahiti!"
Kirsten looked at her husband in total disbelief.
"Summer, Seth's where?" Kirsten said.
Sandy walked over to the dresser and picked up the note.
Dear Dad,
You know that before Ryan came I was planning that trip we talked about? Well, now that Ryan's gone... I borrowed some money from the safe, I promise I'll pay it back. I'll call you in about two days at my first stop at port. Please make sure Summer gets my letter.
Love Seth
Summer stood crying reading her letter. She walked past Sandy and Kirsten and out the front door.
"Well there's nothing we can do Kirsten."
"Yes there is," Kirsten said yelling. "We can call the police or get a search party to go looking for him."
Sandy grabbed his wife in a warm embrace. "You forget that we gave Seth permission last year, before Ryan came along, to go on this trip."
There was a long pause.
"Well Sandy, do we tell him?"
"Who, Ryan?" Sandy said. "No not yet, his life is already complicated enough."
"Summer why would he go to Tahiti?" Marissa said into the phone.
"Because sailing is the only thing that takes away the pain."
"Summer how'd you know that?"
"It was in his note."
Marissa sat down in one of the many chairs in her room. "When's he coming back?"
Summer started to cry as she spoke the words, "I don't know, but in the note...it says...he.. Loves me."
End of Chapter 2
Chapter 3 -To Be A Whole Person
"Want to dance?" Ryan said, as he slowly moved towards his love.
Soft music playing in the background, they walked to the dance floor, hands tightly wrapped around each other. Ryan looked into Marissa's eyes as he put his hand around her slender waist. Bringing her hands to Ryan's shoulders, Marissa begin to cry.
"I just want you to know, I understand why you have to do this."
Ryan smiled softly at her, looking into her loving eyes. How could he ever leave her, the one he loved?
"Thanks," Ryan said, frantically looking for words.
Marissa's tears filled her eyes and slowly fell down her cheeks. She drew closer to Ryan, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"But I wish you didn't have to," Marissa sobbed, so close to Ryan.
"Me too." Ryan held his breath, desperately fighting back tears. Marissa smiled softly, pulling her head back to look into Ryan's eyes.
"I love you," Marissa said, crying. Ryan pulled her close to hide the tears flowing down his own face.
Marissa slowly opened her eyes, a dream, so real, too sweet to be real. She sat up in bed, raising her hands to her eyes to find them wet. She had been crying in her sleep. Looking around her oversized room to see her new furniture, a red leather chair, matching a large sofa, a desk, a computer chair and her dresser. She lay back down, not ready for her dream to be over, but she could not fall asleep. So she lay, thinking about him, Ryan, his smile, his heart, and his love. Closing her eyes she could picture the dream, again and again. In her mind she would be safe. She rolled over looking for Ryan, knowing he wouldn't be there. She curled up, grasping her pillow, tears flowing from her eyes like a soft summer rain. Standing up from her bed she walked over to her dresser, glancing at the clock, 6:30 in the morning. She continued to her dresser, when she arrived she reached in, grabbing the clear bottle..........Pulling it up from beneath the clothes.........She unscrewed the top.........and walked to her bathroom.........looking into the mirror.........she saw a human being......... who was ready to grow up.........ready to fight through her problems.........not drown her fears.........but face them.........she raised the bottle to her lips.........smelling the harsh liquor.........Then she smiled.........she was ready to fight.........she poured the liquor down the sink. Now she was ready to face her problems and make everything all right. She sat there for many hours.........looking finally, at a whole person.
Ryan walked on a narrow road, traffic rushing by. He was walking slowly, around his old neighborhood. He walked passed his old house; the house represented everything wrong in the world. He was beaten, thrown out, and left alone. Now three young children played in the front yard, a single mom cooking inside. He smiled at how happy the children seemed to be. The mother's face was young, as he looked at her through the dusty window. The mother, seeing Ryan, called her kids inside. Ryan reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill. He opened their mailbox and put it in. If only someone would have done something so simple for him when he was this young, maybe things would be different, probably not. That was the reason he had to come here, he didn't want his child to grow up without a father. Like he did.
Seth pulled into one of the many docks, lowering the great sail of his ship; he wrapped the sail up onto the pole and tied it with a string, to keep it from unraveling. To get off the boat Seth jumped, a clanking sound echoed as his feet hit the dock. Then he tied the Summer Breeze to a metal chain.
"You're not going anywhere Summer."
Seth sat down, taking off his shoes and socks and placing his feet in the warm water. He had always dreamed that Summer would be with him on his journey, dreamed about her long before they made love, long before they had kissed, long before she had even known his name. Long before Ryan had given him the courage to talk to her. Before Ryan she didn't even know he had existed. He would sail near his beach dreaming that she was there. She was his invisible friend; he would talk to her and sail with her for hours. Now he really had her, and she wasn't here. Seth looked across the never-ending water at the emptiness in his life.
Ryan closed the mailbox, and began to walk away. He could hear one of the three children run out to the mailbox and open the wooden door. Ryan turned around, still walking away, to see the mother smile excitedly. He turned his head back away and continued to walk. He walked for another hour, entering the rich part of town. Then realized he must go back, back to Theresa's. He turned and began to walk back. The houses turned from rich to poor, and with it Ryan's happiness.
Seth stood up quickly as he saw another boat headed for the docks where the Summer Breeze rested.
"Hey buddy!" A large black haired boy yelled at him. "You're going to have to move your boat."
The boy reminded Seth of Luke before he was shot and his dad's secret became public.
"Why?" Seth yelled back.
The boy's boat rolled up to the dock. He got off and tied his boat to a wooden pole at the end of the dock. "Because every time I come here this is where I park my boat."
Seth walked closer to him so he didn't have to yell. "Well you are just going to have to dock your boat somewhere else this time, I guess."
"You know kid, I'm bigger then you and if I have to I'm willing to force you. So why don't you just make this easy on yourself and unpack your boat and move it?"
"Come on," Seth pleaded, "It took me forever to unpack my boat dude."
The boy just gave a disagreeing look.
Seth turned around and walked closer to his boat. "Ok."
"That's better, you little shit."
Seth turned around and began to walk down the dock to his boat. Then suddenly he stopped and turned around, facing the boy.
"You know," Seth said. "I don't think I'm going to be able to move my boat."
The kid walked over to Seth. "Well I guess I'm going to have to use a little force." The kid rolled up his sleeves preparing to fight.
Seth took a deep breath in. Almost in slow motion Seth made a fist and in perfect form hit the thing that had been holding him back all his life, the people who had been bulling him all his life, had been cutting him down and killing him inside. The kid tried to block, but the punch connected perfectly, hitting him square between the eyes, knocking the boy flat on his back against the wooden dock.
Seth stared at the black haired, buff, water polo playing, little piece of shit he had just punched. "Now I'm I going to have to hit you again," Seth said, surprised at how confident he sounded.
"No, umm I think I should try a new docking location anyway." The black haired boy stood up from the ground of the wooden dock and, almost in a run, untied his boat and sailed away. Seth looked across the never-ending water again, and this time something felt different, something was there, he was whole.
End of Chapter 3
Chapter 4 – Life's going down the drain
Caleb stood in the kitchen of his house that resembled a castle. The house had seven unoccupied bedrooms, six bathrooms, three living rooms, a ballroom, an oversized dining room and three offices. Caleb walked from the kitchen into the connecting dining room, staring at the detailed oak walls. This house truly was his masterpiece. Fit for a king, or in this case, a queen. Julie entered the room smiling.
"Hello honey," Julie's ice queen eyes staring at the fire king's lips. "So," Julie said softly as she drew closer to her husband. "How's work?" Caleb took a deep breath.
"Fine, work's fine." Knowing full well of his boldfaced lie. "It couldn't be going better."
"Well in that case...maybe you could take the afternoon off and we could go to bed early," Julie said, whispering in Caleb's ear.
Caleb softly pushed Julie away. "I'm sorry I can't. I have too much work to do."
Julie face turned from a smile to her ice queen look. "But you said everything was fine."
"I know what I said sweetie," Adding the sweetie in attempt to warm the queens heart. "But, I'll try to get off early and come home."
"That's all I ask." Julie smiled and exited the dining room. Caleb looked around at his perfect house, and his perfect life and the devil prayed to God that he could keep it.
Seth walked down the pier. He had a lot of things to do. Get a hotel room, shower, get dressed, and go eat, call his parents and then call Summer...
"The house is so empty. I lost both my boys in the same day," Kirsten sighed, half teary eyed. "I miss them so much, Sandy."
Sandy and Kirsten sat across from each other at their oversized table for six. Staring at each other trying, their hardest to make conversation.
"Well Seth should be calling us tomorrow," Sandy mentioned reassuringly.
"I know Sandy, but it's not the same. At least I got to say goodbye to Ryan. I miss them."
Sandy stood up from his takeout food and walked over to his gorgeous wife. He smiled and offered a hand to help her up.
"I'm sick of take out, let's use all these expensive kitchen appliances we had to have and make ourselves a real homemade meal."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kirsten said as she grabbed Sandy's soft hand. "Someone has been using my Satin Silk Lotion."
Sandy smiled, "Well I like my hands to be soft for when I need to help my wife up." Sandy pulled her up and they both walked over to the counter and began to attempt to cook.
Ryan walked into the small kitchen at Theresa's mother's house and sat a down at one of the four wood chairs around a white round table. Theresa's mother smiled as Ryan entered.
"So I got you a job interview at the restaurant I work at, if you're interested." Theresa's mother had taken the news well at first, but Ryan and Theresa's mother's rooms were only split by a paper-thin wall and Ryan had heard her crying in the night. Of course he would never mention ever hearing anything. Theresa had coaxed Ryan into telling her that he and Theresa were going to get married after the baby was born. Of course he never meant it and Theresa knew that.
"Yes, I would love to work at the restaurant," Ryan said as Theresa's mom laid a meatloaf in the center of the table. The food was so different here. Not better or worse, just different, maybe it was just the company around the table. Theresa walked in and sat on another chair. Then Theresa's mother sat down.
"Ryan would you like to say grace?" Theresa's mom said looking at Ryan.
Ryan appeared shocked and had obviously shown it because Theresa quickly offered to do so.
"Dear Lord, please bless this foo..." The words trailed off as Ryan's mind began to drift back to the Cohen's dining room. He could see their smiling faces as they talked and ate. Takeout on the table, and interesting conversation spewing from Seth's mouth, everyone happy. No worries, except for the next day's homework or which party they would crash next, which PlayStation2 game to put in. "Amen."
Theresa and her mother began to dish out the food and in his head Ryan prayed that somehow he could be back there, back with his family.
After dinner Ryan helped clean up and then walked over to the phone and dialed the Cohen's number...
"Mom I'm sorry I can't go to the mall with you and Caitlin," Marissa said as she came down one of the two staircases.
"Oh, why not?" Julie groaned.
"I just don't feel like going out today."
"Marissa, it just won't be fun without you," Julie said in an annoyed voice.
"Please mom?" Marissa pleaded as she walked over to her mother and gave her a hug.
"Well," Julie said, "Caleb mentioned he is having a very important business client over and he could not be disturbed. But as long as you don't bother them."
"I won't mom."
Julie said good-bye and she and Caitlin walked out the front door and into a white limo.
Marissa smiled as she went up stairs to get her cell phone. She went to her room and looking on her desk didn't see it. She had purposely not gone shopping so that she could have a private conversation with Ryan, with no interruptions. Marissa spent the next hour looking all over the house for her lost cell phone; She had checked every room except one, Caleb's office. As she entered the dark room she heard the doorbell ring, probably Caleb's client. She better be quick. As she looked she heard voices draw closer.
"Lets go in my office and we can talk." Marissa heard Caleb say as he went dangerously close to the door of his office.
Without thinking Marissa darted for the closet, she climbed in and closed it just in time to hear Caleb open his office door.
"Are you sure its okay to talk here, what if your wife or her daughters overhear?"
"They've gone out shopping for the day," Caleb said, reassuring the client. "So what's the scoop on my business?"
"Well," the man's face showed no expression, "Basically soon we will be bankrupt and will both be poor and in jail."
Marissa gasped as she heard the words.
"What was that?" Caleb grunted standing up from his chair.
"I don't know, I think it came from the closet," the man whispered.
Marissa could feel her face turn red with fear as she heard Caleb's footsteps head towards the small closet. Caleb reached down for the handle. He turned and opened the door...
End of Chapter 4
Chapter 5 – Why He Is
Summer ran out the front door of the Cohen house, her fingers firmly wrapped around a white piece of paper. She stepped onto the lush grass on the front lawn and walked a few steps to find a wooden bench. Summer looked up at the bright sky and sat down. Her face was red and tears stumbled over her face, slowly falling to her top lip; she tasted the salty tears and it reminded her of Seth, Seth and his sailing. Summer sat there for an hour reflecting on the last year. She couldn't bring herself to read past the first sentence of Seth's letter. All she had read was…
Dear Summer, this is extremely hard to say to you. I need to get away from this place, It's to painful to stay here and sailing is the only thing that takes the pain away…
After reading that much into the letter she was far too scared to read further. What if she opened the letter and it said…Seth didn't… want... to be with her? What if he came to his senses and realized that he was too good for her? Another tear rolled down her face.
Josh jumped into his yellow rich-kid car. Fumbling with the keys they finally found their way into the car's starter. He turned it and the engine hummed like an angel. He pulled out of the driveway and continued down the street. Driving for a few minutes, he tapped on the brakes, seeing a familiar face…Summer's. He pulled over and put the car into park. Getting out, he locked the door and walked over the Cohen's front lawn to Summer.
"Summer, that you!" Josh called and waited for a response.
"What you're not going to answer me?" Josh spoke angrily and bit his lip when he saw the tears coming from Summer's eyes.
"Are you ok?" Josh said, his voice now soft, as he sat down beside Summer.
"I'm fine." Summer mumbled, trying to shake off her teary eyes.
Josh reached out to touch her face. "I've missed you," he said in his charming voice.
Josh had been her boyfriend for many years. In fact, they started going out in grade six. However, they had broken up in grade 9, the result of going to different high schools. He was Summer's first crush, but not her first true love. He had broken up with him after she refused to have sex with him. She was crushed at the time, but she could then see him for his true colors, he was using her. She had never gotten the looks that Seth gave to her from him and it was what she had been craving for when she got together with Seth. Although she had to admit she did miss Josh's boyish good looks. Josh was tall, dark haired and had the perfect face, and the whitest smile and the body to match.
"I guess I've missed you too," Summer sobbed softly.
Josh reached out for Summer's smooth face. Josh's lips touched hers and she let herself go, allowing Josh to kiss her softly. Memories flooded her head, times when everything in her life was perfect. Before her parents had divorced, before this year and sadly before Seth.
When he had pulled away from Summer's warm body he could see her look change from happy to scared.
"What's wrong?" Josh asked.
Summers turned her shoulder and looked towards the ocean and realized what she had just done. Somewhere Seth was out there and she had betrayed him.
"I have a boyfriend, I'm sorry," She said softly.
"You do," Josh sighed and continued. "Who?"
That was when Summer's brain took over her heart. She and Josh had gone to the same school before high school and Seth was the biggest loser. He would just laugh at her, if she told him she was going out with Seth Cohen. Then, at that point in time, old memories of Seth resurfaced in her mind and she was brought back to that time when Seth was alone. "Summer Roberts you're next," a bright young female teacher called out to the class.
"Nice job Mr. Cohen," Mrs. Fields, the teacher, said as Seth walked back to his desk.
"Ya, nice job Cohen you queer!" Luke called out as the whole class laughed.
"Luke Ward, quiet down," the teacher yelled. "It's your turn Summer."
Summer stood up and walked to the front of her sixth grade class, her hand shaking as she saw all the faces staring back at her. Seth watched her and noticed the slight shake of her hand. She began:
"I Wish I Was a Mermaid," the young Summer started.
Seth opened up his ears and began committing Summer's beautiful poem to memory.
I wish I was a mermaid,
And was friends with all the fish,
A shiny tail,
And seashells that would drift.
Drift from place to place,
Upon my very wish,
I wish I was a mermaid,
So I could sing and play with all the fish.
The class clapped and Summer smiled nervously and sat down. Josh turned around as Summer sat down.
"Not bad Summer."
"Thanks Josh," Summer said, smiling.
Seth turned towards Summer. "It was amazing Summer."
Summer's eyes turned to disgust as she saw who was talking to her.
"Whatever freak."
Seth's face froze as he took a deep breath.
Josh looked at Seth, "Hey why don't you just shut the hell up and turn around and stop talking or trying you fagot?" Josh yelled, loud enough for the whole class to hear. Seth's classmates all laughed and pointed at Seth.
"What's going on?" The teacher yelled.
"Seth was bugging Summer," Josh blurted out, a smile across his face as he spoke the words.
The teacher walked towards the two boys. "Seth, I'm surprised at you. Both you and Josh will have detention after class today for one hour."
"But…I…didn't do..." Seth attempted to say before the teacher cut him off.
"Would you like to make it longer Mr. Cohen?"
Seth looked confused. "I was just saying I liked Summer's poem."
"Mr. Cohen you have just bought yourself another hour." The class laughed as the teacher spoke. Seth gave up and slumped down in his desk as the bell rang. Josh looked over at Seth.
"You're going to pay for this f--," Josh spoke with anger in his voice.
The class got up and left and Luke and Marissa were the last ones to walk out of the class together. Seth could hear them talking as they left.
"Don't you, like, live next door to him?" Luke said.
"Yeah, but he's not my friend," Marissa said. "Believe me, if I could I'd move just to get away from the freak vibes coming from his house."
Their voices trailed off as they left the classroom.
"Josh, your one hour starts now. And Seth, your first of two also starts now. I want no talking, I need to go inform your parents." With that the teacher left the room.
The two children stared at the wall for some time quietly until Josh started to talk.
"Listen loser, I am so going to get you back for this." Seth just sat there staring at the blackboard.
"What, don't losers talk?"
"I'm not a loser," Seth mumbled just in time for the teacher to come in and hear him talking.
"Seth you're really pushing my patience today. I have informed both your parents." The teacher finished and sat down at her desk to start to correct papers. Time moved slowly and every few minutes the teacher would look at the large clock on the wall. When she looked for almost the thirtieth time in half an hour she stood up.
"Mr. Days you may go."
With that Josh stood up from his desk, gave a dark smile at Seth and as he walked by whispered menacingly.
"Why do you bother coming?"
When Josh left the room, Seth slumped his head down and let the tears quietly flow from his eyes. As he lay he realized he had to take a chance. He wanted to ask Summer to go out with him. Based on her early reaction she wasn't interested, but he had to try.
Seth quietly walked out of the classroom, as the teacher gave the okay. He walked down the empty hallways to his locker. He grabbed the lock and turned it to 15 then 11 and finally 30. The lock opened and he pulled it off and opened his locker. Seth reached in, grabbed his bag and alone walked out of the school.
A black car purred, waiting for him outside. He jumped in.
"Hello son," Sandy said smiling.
"Hi," Seth whimpered.
"It's only detention son, you'll make it through this," Sandy said, remembering his youth.
"I know Dad...Its just one more day down," Seth muttered.
"What are you counting the days down to?" Sandy asked.
"I don't know, I'm just glad another one's over."
The car drove away from the school towards the sunset.
"I don't think we should punish him at all," Sandy said to Kirsten.
"Sandy, he was given a two hour detention."
"I know, but the kid is depressed enough. If we take away his video games or his sailing privileges, what else does he have?"
"Ok," Kirsten said, agreeing with a slight nod. Kirsten walked over to Sandy.
"I'm worried about him."
Seth lay up in his room lying on his pillow, the lights off, he was practicing what he would say to Summer tomorrow. He lay up until one in the morning trying to gain enough confidence, when sleep took hold and silenced his active mind.
The next morning Seth awoke with half the confidence he had last night. Yet he was determined to go through with it.
The morning went smoothly, if you didn't count everyone laughing at him during the first recess, when Luke held him down and Josh stole his shoes and threw them on the roof.
After the lunch bell rang. Seth went into the hallway to find Summer talking to her friends. As Seth walked up to her, Summer's friends left her side and began walking away.
"I need to talk to you," Seth pleaded, his voice cracking.
"What?" Summer responded.
"I just wanted to say that I like you and I think you're amazing," Seth boldly said. Summer smiled slightly at the compliment. From behind Seth Luke walked up, and, hearing what Seth had said, laughed.
"Summer you wouldn't really go out with this freak would you?" Luke barked.
Summers smile quickly faded. "No? He's a complete loser."
Seth looked at Summer, brokenhearted.
"See you f--, you never had a chance," Luke said to Seth's face. Summer smiled at Luke.
"Thanks Luke," Summer said thoughtfully, as she stared at Seth like he was a freak of nature and walked away to the other side of the hall, joining her friends. Luke looked back down at the other end of the hallway and yelled.
"Hey Josh, the f-- was hitting on your girl," Luke yelled as he pointed at Seth.
Josh's face turned red and he walked to Luke.
"Lets teach it a lesson then," Josh spat the words at Seth.
Josh and Luke both made fists and both punched Seth. He fell to the floor and curled up in a ball using his hands to protect his bleeding face from the kicks of Luke and Josh. Seth lay taking the beating and swore he would never share his feelings or trust anyone again.
A teacher turned the corner to see Seth lying on the floor with Josh and Luke around him. The teacher ran over and, seeing the bleeding boy, turned to Summer.
"Summer Roberts who started this?" the teacher yelled.
Summer looked at Seth, then at Josh and Luke.
"Well, Ms. Roberts?"
Summer turned to the teacher. "It…was...Seth who started it." And out of the corner of her eye she could see Seth allow a single tear to roll down his face.
Summer sat on the wooden bench beside Josh many years later.
"So," Josh said, shaking Summer out of her memory. "Who's the boyfriend?"
Summer glanced away from the water and at Josh. "Seth Cohen."
Josh stood up and laughed. "The loser from school? You're dating that guy? The f--, that we sent to the hospital in grade six? Summer Roberts is dating the elementary school f--," Josh said, laughter in his voice as he stood up from the bench.
Summer stood up to and looked directly into Josh's eyes. She slapped Josh as hard as she could.
"Owww," Josh grunted, feeling the sting from the slap. "What was that for?"
"That was from me for being such an ass!" Summer yelled. "And this, well this is from Seth, the one I love!" Summer pulled back her leg and with its spring loaded she kicked Josh square in the middle of the legs. Did I just yell that I LOVED Seth Cohen, Summer thought to herself, as Josh fell onto the grass in extreme pain. The only question was if Seth loved her. That is when she remembered the letter. She opened it and read the bottom of the letter. Summer this is the hardest thing to say because you might not feel it back…I…love you.
Summer folded the letter up and, staring back over the ocean, yelled at the top of her lungs, "I love you Seth Cohen!!!"
End of Chapter 5
Chapter 6 - Cheat, Love and Something Better
Seth smiled as he turned onto Main Street. The street was perfect, on one side there where restaurants and on the other, shops, everything you needed to survive. The street was full of color and Seth's stomach jumped with excitement. He loved Main Street! He had never gone out alone. He was independent, his own man, yes a man, he thought to himself and smiled. The sun was so bright and it was hard not to let all your worries fly away with the warm breeze, but there was one worry he didn't want to let fly away.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Seth said in surprise as he walked smack into a warm body.
"Its okay," the bright beautiful blond sighed. "These things always happen to me."
"I'm really sorry," Seth repeated as he reached out a hand to help the girl up. She smiled and took Seth's hand.
"Thank you," she said with a love-struck grin on her face.
"Uh, no problem," Seth said, pulling her to her feet. She swung up off the ground and into Seth's arms.
"Oh," Seth winced, as her arms slipped around his slim waist.
"Sarah," she whispered into Seth's ear.
"What?"
"My name's Sarah."
"Oh yeah I'm…" Seth said, stunned to find that he had forgotten his own name.
"You're who?" Sarah smiled.
"Seth," he blurted out, more loudly than he meant to.
"Well now that the whole neighborhood knows," she laughed. "Are you hungry?"
"Yeah, a little." Which was a huge understatement; he hadn't eaten since his last energy bar at 5:30 this morning.
"Good," she smiled brightly. "Then you can buy me lunch to make up for running me over."
"That's fair," Seth said, staring at Sarah. She was breathtaking, to say the least. Perfect in every way.
"Well are you just going to stare or take my hand and go to lunch?"
Seth took her hand and they walked into a small but busy restaurant and sat down, the hubbub of the restaurant buzzing around them.
"So, are you single, Seth?" Sarah asked with a halfhearted smile.
Seth looked at her and spoke, "Umm."
"Can I take your order sir?" the waiter called, preparing to take their orders.
"I don't know yet," Seth answered.
"I know what he wants," Sarah spoke, "He wants me to order for him. We'll have two house specials and a milkshake, two straws. The waiter eyed them both, then nodded and left.
"You're not a hooker, are you?" Seth blurted out, not thinking about the words he had just said. Damn, he thought to himself, you just wrecked this whole thing.
At first she appeared shocked, then laughed. "Bad experience, Seth?"
Seth remembered Vegas all too well. "It's not what you're thinking, but yeah, bad experience."
"Well what am I thinking?" she said flirtingly.
Seth, unable to catch on, said, "I don't know…that I'm some loser who bumped into you on the street."
"Way off," she laughed.
Jimmy awoke in his queen-sized bed and reached over to find no one there. He slowly opened his eyes to find himself alone in his room. He slipped on his boxers and walked into the hallway. As he reached the bathroom he heard the sound of water running. He reached for the door handle and slowly opened the door. Walking in he smiled, seeing who was under the slow falling water.
"Hi Jimmy," she said as a smile grew wide on her face.
"Morning, Hailey," Jimmy said.
"Are you going to join me?" Hailey spoke softly.
Jimmy nodded and opened the glass shower door.
A pot began to boil and continued to simmer unattended. The Cohen kitchen lay a mess. The garbage was full with good takeout food, the counters were littered with carrot peels and potato skins. The pot's lid began to shake as the pressure inside began to build, no one in sight.
"So I got you a job interview at the restaurant I work at, if you're interested." Theresa's mother said, smiling at Ryan.
"Yes, I would love to work at the restaurant," Ryan said as Theresa's mom laid a meatloaf in the center of the table. Theresa walked in and sat on another chair. Then Theresa's mother sat down.
"Ryan would you like to say grace?" Theresa's mom said, looking at Ryan.
Ryan appeared shocked and had obviously shown it because Theresa quickly offered to do so.
"Dear Lord, please bless this foo..." The words trailed off as Ryan's mind began to drift back to the Cohen's dining room. He could see their smiling faces as they talked and ate. Takeout on the table, and interesting conversation spewing from Seth's mouth, everyone happy.
"Amen."
Theresa and her mother began to dish out the food and in his head Ryan prayed that somehow he could be back there, back with his family, but it couldn't happen. There was no way out.
After they were done eating Ryan stood up and cleared the table. Running the warm dishwater, he added soap and washed the dishes as Theresa dried.
"You okay?" Theresa asked softly, putting the last plate into the cupboard.
Ryan gave a faint smile to try to reassure her. It didn't work.
"Is it Seth?"
"I don't know, Theresa."
"Maybe you should give him a call, talk things out."
Ryan unplugged the drain, letting the dirty water slip away.
"I think I will," Ryan spoke.
Ryan walked over to the phone and dialed the Cohen's number.
The pot's lid shock rapidly trying to release the steam inside, then finally the bubbles grew within the pot and rose up along its edges, and the liquid within spilled over onto the oven.
"So this is her," Sarah said. Staring at Seth's…boat.
"This is her alright," Seth whispered, standing very close behind Sarah.
"The Summer Breeze… why that name?" she asked, seemingly interested.
Seth whimpered, "It's the name of my girlfriend." Seth moved back a few steps, so he wasn't pressing against Sarah. As he did this she turned around and looked at Seth.
"I like your boat, it's bigger then my boyfriend's." She moved closer to Seth.
"It is?" Seth's words mumbled because Sarah had moved her lips to his. Seth stood frozen for a moment. Was this right?
"Well are you going to kiss back?" Sarah asked politely.
Summer could never find out. Seth took her in his arms and their lips met for a second time.
"And you thought I was a hooker," Sarah said jokingly, pulling away from Seth and walking to the end of the dock.
Sandy stood up from his takeout food and walked over to his gorgeous wife. He smiled and offered a hand to help her up.
"I'm sick of takeout, let's use all these expensive kitchen appliances we had to have and make ourselves a real homemade meal."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kirsten asked as she grabbed Sandy's hand.
Sandy pulled her up and they both walked over to the counter.
"I'll peel the carrots and you do the potatoes," Sandy whispered into his glowing wife's ear.
Kirsten walked over to a drawer and slid it open.
"I like carrots better," Kirsten said and took out the carrot peeler. Sandy sighed, knowing he was on potato duty.
After the carrots and potatoes were ready Sandy pulled out some pasta. He emptied into a pot, added water and set it on the oven on low heat. Kirsten walked over and Sandy did the patented yawn move.
"I've still got it," Sandy said as he put his arm around her.
"You sure do." Kirsten turned and slowly kissed Sandy.
They fumbled around the kitchen, knocking carrot and potato peels everywhere. The two moved, lips attached, into the living room, falling on the couch in a deep embraced. They started making out, then Kirsten pulled away.
"I'm going upstairs and after you turn the stove off, you better be there too," Kirsten pleaded as she kissed Sandy one last time and in a slow sexy walk exited the room.
Sandy sat there for minute, giving Kirsten time to get ready. He walked into the kitchen and looked around. There was something I was supposed to do in here, Sandy thought to himself. Oh well, it would have to wait. Sandy looked out over his backyard and saw the empty pool house. Then shaking himself out of the moment walked up the stairs past Seth's room and almost had another one. He took deep breath, shook his head, and opened his bedroom door.
The pot's lid shook rapidly trying to release the steam inside. Then finally the bubbles grew within the pot and rose up along its edges and the liquid within spilled over onto the oven.
"The phone's ringing," Kirsten said to Sandy.
"Just ignore it," he said, lightly tapping kisses along Kirsten's neck.
"What if it's Seth?"
"All right."
Sandy rolled over to the other side of the bed as Kirsten picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Kirsten spoke.
"Hey." A voice spoke back.
Just then Sandy froze, the pot! Sandy stood up and ran down the stairs to the oven to see the pot's content spewing over the stove. Suddenly I'm starting to like takeout food, he thought to himself as he saw Kirsten walking down the stairs, cordless phone in hand.
"One second," she said into the phone, and covered the mouthpiece with her hand.
"Who is it?" Sandy asked.
"It's Ryan," she answered, an extremely worried look on her face.
"Is everything alright?" Sandy said, a look of concern in his eyes.
"Ryan wants to talk to…Seth."
Caleb slid his key into the lock of the front door of his house. The door opened smoothly and he walked in to see the large grandfather clock. He was just in time, Peter or his client as he had told Julie, was due to arrive anytime now. Caleb took a few steps forward and took off his coat, hanging it in a walk-in closet.
"Anyone home?" Caleb yelled, the sound of his voice unable to penetrate the room where Marissa stood looking for her lost item.
Just then the doorbell rang and Caleb opened the door.
"Peter, good to see you."
"Well it might not be as nice to see me after I tell you the news," Peter exclaimed.
Caleb hung up Peter's coat and then gestured him to follow up the stairs.
"Let's go in my office and we can talk," Caleb said as he came to his office door.
Caleb paused only for a second, thinking he heard a door slam, then opened the office door.
"Are you sure its okay to talk here, what if your wife or her daughters overhear?" Peter said nervously.
"They've gone out shopping for the day," Caleb said, reassuring the client. "So what's the scoop on my business?"
"Well," the man's face showed no expression, "Basically soon we will be bankrupt and will both be poor and in jail."
Caleb froze, hearing a slight gasping sound.
"What was that?" Caleb grunted, standing up from his chair.
"I don't know, I think it came from the closet," the man whispered.
Caleb stood and headed towards the small closet. Caleb reached down for the handle. He turned and opened the door when suddenly Julie swung the office door open yelling.
"The credit card you gave me isn't working Caleb!"
Caleb closed the closet door and walked over to his desk.
"Do you know how embarrassing it was for me to go to the mall and try to buy a cheap seven hundred dollar necklace and not have my credit card work? It was like reliving the whole bad dream I had with Jimmy and you know how I don't like to be reminded of that!"
"Julie, I have a client in here right now," Caleb muttered under his breath. "I must have forgotten to activate it or something, take my wallet and use cash."
Julie froze for a second trying to remember when someone had used that line before. Then, realizing she was staring, Julie took the wallet and stalked out of the room.
Caleb sat back down. "Please continue Peter."
"Well financial reports are indicating that productivity is down…"
Marissa lay in that closet for over two hours absorbing every detail. Listening intently until Peter finally got up and left, Caleb finally opened his desk drawer and pulled out some stashed liquor. Pouring a glass, he drank and took a long, deep, calming breath, stood up, and walked out of his office.
Marissa slowly opened the closet door. She walked over to the entrance of Caleb's office and slid out. Walking only a few steps Caleb turned the corner down the hallway. Seeing him she turned quickly and began to walk the other way.
"Marissa!" Caleb yelled loudly, his words echoing down the hall.
Marissa stopped and turned to find Caleb right behind her.
"I thought you were going shopping with your mother?" Caleb queried.
"Well umm..." Marissa mumbled looking for a lie to cover up where she had actually been, then remembering the credit card thing that save her last time.
"Well the credit card didn't work so I just wanted to come home."
"Yes well I must have forgotten to…"
"Activate it," Marissa said, finishing Caleb's sentence. "Don't worry about it, it happened to my dad once."
Marissa walked past Caleb towards her room.
"One last thing Marissa."
Marissa's mind started racing, he had caught her in a lie…
"I found this in my office." Caleb handed Marissa her cell phone.
"Thanks, I was looking for it," Marissa said, taking the cell phone. She continued walking into her room and closed the door behind her. "But I found something better!"
End of Chapter 6
Chapter 7 – Losing a Brother, Gaining a Son
A small restaurant stood out like a beacon of light in a dark neighborhood. The rundown place was a gathering point for the families who could not afford anything else. To Ryan it was the only place he had ever eaten out at as a child. In the small confines of the restaurant Ryan was safe. It was crowded most of the time and if anyone made a scene the whole neighborhood would know. To Ryan it was a place where there were no beatings; a safe haven, time out, a place to be a kid.
Ryan walked through the glass door of the small diner. The place hadn't changed much since he left it, the old cracked wood tables and chairs and of course the checkered floors. Ryan smiled as he walked past an old man who happily smiled and said hello.
"Ryan Atwood, right?" Ryan heard a voice yelling across the diner.
"That's me," Ryan responded.
"The names Rex and I'll be your new boss."
Rex stood a good foot taller then Ryan. He was young, only a little older than Ryan, big boned, but with no fat, just muscle.
You needed to look like a bouncer to work in this place, because of all the characters you got in here. Ryan remembered that one day a robber had come in while they were eating. He'd had a gun and Ryan had nightmares for weeks, of course he was young and that was expected.
"So Kate recommended you for a job as a server. What kind of experience do you have?"
"I worked at the Crab Shack over the summer," Ryan winced, remembering the good times.
"Well that's good enough for me," Rex laughed. "You can start tomorrow."
Ryan smiled, "Thanks."
"What am I supposed to say?" Kirsten whispered into Sandy's ear, her hand covering the mouthpiece of the telephone.
"I don't know, tell him the truth."
Kirsten lifted her hand from the phone. "Seth's not here."
"Oh," Ryan said, disappointed. "Can you have him call me back when he gets home?"
"He won't be back for a while, Ryan." Kirsten looked at Sandy for reassurance.
There was silence over the phone, both sides afraid to speak. Ryan stood frozen in Theresa's kitchen, thinking of what might have happened, what if Seth had run away because of him? They didn't leave on a high note, and if anything happened to Seth he would blame himself.
"Where is he?" Ryan forced the words out of his mouth.
"He's sailing," she said almost breaking out into tears.
Ryan exited the restaurant with a smile on his face. He had a job, just no friends, the smile quickly faded.
"Ryan you there?" Kirsten softly asked into the phone.
There was no answer for a second until Ryan again forced the words from his mouth. "I'm still here."
"I know it's only been a week, but how about you and Theresa come over for supper tomorrow? I'll order take out, I won't cook."
Ryan pulled a chair from the round white table. "I have a job interview tomorrow, but after that I think we can come."
"It will be nice to see you Ryan," Kristen said to the boy who had become her son.
"See you tomorrow Mom." Ryan hung up the phone before realizing what he had just called Kirsten.
"Kirsten, what's wrong?" Sandy said.
Kirsten stood frozen, listening to the hum of the dial tone. Ryan had just called her Mom! She set the cordless phone on the counter and walked over to Sandy. She wrapped her arms around Sandy and in his ear whispered, " I truly have a second son, I miss him, I miss them both."
Thanks, I was looking for it," Marissa said, taking the cell phone. She continued walking into her room and closed the door behind her. "But I found something better!"
Opening her cell phone she dialed Theresa's number.
"Hello?" answered a female voice.
"Is Ryan there?"
"One second."
"Hello." Ryan's voice calmed Marissa.
"I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"How are things with your dad?" Ryan asked.
"They're good," Marissa said, wondering why it felt so weird to talk to Ryan.
"How's the baby?"
"Fine, I think," Ryan responded.
Marissa walked to her bed and sat down, "You wouldn't believe what I just found out!"
Sparkling water shot up the side of the Summer Breeze. The water shot into the air, creating a hazy mist along the deck where Sarah lay.
"Wow Seth, she handles well on the water," she called to Seth, who was positioned at the bow of the boat, securing a rope. "Do you need help Seth?"
"Ya," Seth yelled to her, the waves hitting and shaking the boat roughly. "Have you ever been on one of these before?"
"On my…boyfriend's boat," she yelled to Seth, the waves growing increasingly loud and turbulent.
Seth froze, what the hell was he doing? He already had a girlfriend and he loved her. He just was…lonely. Seth missed Summer so much that he was trying to replace her. This was wrong! He had to let Sarah down easy, and now more then ever he knew he loved Summer. Otherwise he couldn't be the………….
With Seth's attention dwindling only for a moment, a large wave hit the boat knocking him off into the rough ocean water.
Ryan grew excited as he walked back to Theresa's. He would be able to see Sandy and Kirsten, but there would be no Seth. He missed Seth's ramblings, his smile, his friendship, and most of all, his brother.
If it weren't for him they would probably be in the pool house playing video games, or swimming in the pool or partying. But no, he was walking in his neighborhood filled with gangs and drugs, he had gotten Theresa pregnant…maybe, and he had just gotten a job at an old cheap restaurant. When he left this place last time and the Cohens had taken him in, he had promised himself a better life…a life worth living.
Ryan walked onto Theresa's driveway. He walked to the door, hearing the annoying squeaking sound that it always made, and he cringed. Inside, Theresa lay on the couch.
"Ready to go?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, I'll get my keys."
"Everything needs to be perfect Sandy," Kirsten said, setting the table.
"It is, and will be," Sandy reassured her.
"The food should be here soon," Kirsten said, smiling, calming down slightly.
From the table Kirsten walked over to Sandy. "If there was only a better way Sandy. We could invite them to stay here."
"Ryan's handling it, it's out of our hands."
Falling off the side of the boat Seth took a deep breath before another wave crashed into the submerged boy, his life jacket holding him up.
"Seth!" Sarah called.
"Sarah get the…" Another wave hit Seth, drowning out his words.
"The what?" she yelled anxiously.
"Rope, Sarah…throw the…rope!"
Sarah walked a few steps, stumbling and almost falling in herself. She untied a rope and threw it to Seth. The rope unraveled in the air as it flung towards Seth. The rope pulled taut, just meters from him. He reached out to grab the rope, the waves pulling him further and further away from it.
Adrenaline surging through Seth, he frantically began to swim towards the boat. Yet even with the constant stroke of his arms it seemed to Seth that the boat and rope grew farther and farther away…
"Seth," Sarah called loudly, her words all but lost in the rush of the ocean… "SETH!!!"
End of Chapter 7
Look for chapter 8 soon. If you would like to email me I'd love to talk to you. CoolColin5@hotmail.com. If you have ideas tell me them, just please call all emails "Story Ideas". Look forward to hearing from you!
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I hope the OC gets better!
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coolcolin5
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Canada
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Post subject: Chapter 8 to 10
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 10:16 am
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Chapter 8 – So Real
Julie walked out to her white limo, Caleb's wallet in hand. She opened the door and climbed in.
"Mom, there's no time to go back to the mall before my riding lesson," Caitlin said sweetly, obviously taking after her mother.
"You're right honey," she responded, looking at her diamond studded watch.
"Driver," Julie demanded, "Take Caitlin to the stables and stay there until she's done, then take her home."
"Have fun dear." With that Julie kissed her youngest daughter, got out of the limo and closed the door.
The limo drove away as Julie walked into the house. She sat down on a couch, waiting for Caleb's client to leave.
Nearly two hours later Julie stood up and shook Peter's hand as he left. After he was gone she immediately started towards Caleb.
"Thanks, I was looking for it," Marissa said, taking the cell phone. She continued walking into her room and closed the door behind her.
From behind Caleb Julie tapped him on the back.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Everything's fine, give me five minutes and we can talk." Caleb turned the corner and headed downstairs.
Julie reached for Marissa's door, curious about what Caleb had been talking to her about, she started to open it when she heard.
"I miss you."
"They’re good," Marissa said.
"How's the baby?" She asked.
It must be Ryan. That filth shouldn't be talking to her daughter!
Marissa walked over to her bed and sat down, "You wouldn't believe what I just found out! I was supposed to be going shopping with my mom, but I wanted some time alone to call you." Marissa continued as Julie's eyes narrowed, knowing she had been blown off for Ryan. "So I was looking for my cell phone and I looked everywhere, except in Caleb's office. I went in and started to look when I heard Caleb coming in with one of his clients. I didn't want him to know I was in there so I jumped in the closet. You still there?" Marissa said, taking a deep breath.
"Ya, I'm still here," Ryan responded.
"And I heard their conversation, his company's going bankrupt!
Both Ryan and Julie drew a sharp intake of air.
"Are you going to be okay?" Ryan asked.
"Ya, my dad just sold his restaurant for like a million dollars. It's sort of ironic that my mom divorced my dad because he had no money and married Caleb because he had money, and now it's the other way around."
Julie closed the door slowly and walked a few steps before collapsing into a chair, just as Caleb headed up the stairs.
"Is everything alright Julie?" Caleb asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Every part of Julie wanted to kill Caleb. "I'm fine," she lied.
"All right," he said. "I took tomorrow off so we can have the whole day together." Caleb winked as he said the words.
"Gr…eat," Julie said, forcing the words that slaughtered her inside.
Caleb smiled and nodded, "See you later," and with that walked away.
Julie sat in her chair unable to move.
--
Seth stopped swimming, unable to move.
Finally shaking the shock off he yelled, "Sarah, you’re going to have to release the rope and…" A wave crashed into Seth's side. "And…shift...the sails, towards me or somethin…." Spitting the salty water out of his mouth.
Theresa's car pulled out of her driveway, her mom waving goodbye, and she headed for Newport.
"You excited?" Theresa asked.
"Ya, a little," Ryan said, hiding his true excitement.
The drive up was so much better and less depressing. Seeing all the poor, broken down houses grow to rich mansions. All he knew was he would soon be going back the other way.
--
"Put down the vacuum, Kirsten," Sandy said, imitating a cop. "If you keep it up you're going to rip the fibers out of my ugly carpet,"
"I know," Kirsten spoke as she turned the vacuum off." I just want things to be…good for when Ryan comes and you said you loved this carpet."
The doorbell rang and Kirsten and Sandy ran to the door and opened it.
"Ryan, Theresa, always a pleasure." Sandy welcomed them in.
"Hi," Ryan said, giving a nod to Sandy and walking over to Kirsten, wrapping his muscular arms around her.
"Sorry about the Mom thing," he whispered into Kirsten's ear.
"It's quite alright," she said, releasing Ryan, "It's nice to see you…son."
--
Seth began to tear, the boat drifting further away; he was swimming towards the boat as hard as he could.
He panicked, what the hell was happening…Shore was too far away, the water was too rough, he couldn't swim back…The waves were pushing him farther out into the ocean…God he was going to die!
Sarah stood, holding onto the mast of the boat. She was scared, very scared, she blinked her eyes several times, to make sure it wasn't a dream. She had to find a way to get to Seth, he was dying and she knew he couldn't swim forever…but she couldn't use the rope, she couldn't jump out and swim to him, could she, was she strong enough? She had to be, she must be. Sarah contemplated her actions only for a second, then tied the rope securely to her foot and made sure her life jacket was fastened tightly…
Seth took a deep breath before another large wave washed over his body, knocking him slightly closer to the boat. Tired, so tired…keep swimming…must keep swimming. Sarah, seeing the wave hit Seth closer to her, knew it was her only chance; she dived into the rough water, her body aiming for Seth. Adrenaline shot through both their bodies, time seemed to stop.
The rope pulled tight. There wasn't much slack on the rope, if it wasn't enough Seth was doomed. Sarah swam towards Seth, the waves pushing her towards him.
Must swim…they both thought to themselves…must swim…need air…can't stop.
One last wave hit Sarah, giving her the momentum to just barely reach Seth's fingertips. With a jolt forward Seth found his hands in Sarah's. They both smiled at each other.
"We’re not home free yet!" Sarah yelled.
The rope pulled tight, as waves continuously hit The Summer Breeze. They both knew, that if the rope gave in to the pressure they were doomed. Both lives rested in the strength of a strand of rope.
"Climb over me," she yelled over the sound of the waves.
Seth smiled coldly in the water and reached for Sarah's waist, grabbing it tightly he pulled himself closer, putting more tension on the rope, but pulling him meters closer to the abandoned boat. With another heave, Seth found his hands around the taut rope.
“Grab on to my waist!" Seth called to Sarah, who was trying to keep her head above water.
“Happy to!" she called back, turning in the water and wrapping her hands around his thin waist.
Seth was exhausted, but he put one hand over the other, summoning all his might…and he pulled them both a fraction closer to the boat…
--
Jimmy looked into the mirror, staring at his handsome self, when from behind him Hailey walked up.
"You look good Jimmy," she said in a sexy voice.
Jimmy turned around to face Hailey. "You look stunning."
The two slowly moved closer, Hailey smiling as their lips met for a short time. She reached to start undressing him.
"Wait, we can't… later, but not now," Jimmy responded, trying to clarify his actions.
"Well then, we better get your daughter." Hailey put on a ‘you-wish-you-could-have-this’ look and walked out of the room smiling.
"That's not fair." Jimmy straightened his tie and walked out.
The bright California sun reflected brightly as it hit Jimmy's new car.
"I like the new car Jimmy."
"Thanks. I like seeing you ride in it." They both smiled and Hailey laughed.
"You’re so corny Jimmy."
--
Marissa said goodbye to her mother and Caleb and walked out of the large house. As she looked around she realized things looked different when she was happy. The house truly was a dream house; the question was…how long would they keep it?
Marissa was shaken out of her thoughts, at the sight of a nice looking car pulling up in the driveway. Jimmy rolled down the window.
"Hop in kiddo."
"New car dad?"
"Like it?" Jimmy asked.
"And new girlfriend," Marissa said, surprised.
"Like it?" Jimmy asked again as a smile grew upon Hailey's face.
"I like seeing you happy," Marissa said, opening the car door and jumping in.
There was silence in the car until Hailey turned around.
"I have an idea,” she said as she opened a CD case and put the CD in.
The music that started spewing from the speakers shocked Marissa.
"You like them," Marissa said, impressed.
"Love them!" Hailey responded.
"Hate them!” Jimmy said with a half smile.
"Well get used to it," Hailey whispered into Jimmy's ear and kissed his cheek.
"Gross!" Marissa spat out.
--
Sandy stood in the bathroom combing his hair. Kirsten stood in the bedroom looking into a large, gilded mirror, trying to put a gold chain around her neck.
"What time are we meeting Jimmy?" Sandy called.
The words traveled through the closed bathroom door and into Kirsten's ears, where she had given up on the gold chain and was now fine-tuning her makeup.
"9:30," she called back.
"Kirsten are you ready?"
"Why?"
"Because it’s 9:35," he said with a laugh.
"Shit," Kirsten said as Sandy walked out of the bathroom.
"Just because Seth and Ryan are gone doesn't mean you can use that kind of language Kirsten. Now lets hurry the hell up and go."
"I love you Sandy," she said sarcastically.
"And you wonder why Seth is so sarcastic."
--
Sandy and Kirsten walked into the restaurant, twenty minutes late.
"Nice to see some people are early," Sandy said, trying to break the ice.
"Nice to see the cool parents are fashionably late,” Hailey said with a laugh.
"Thanks, Hailey, I do think I'm cool," Sandy responded, sitting next to Kirsten.
Sandy turned to Marissa, "So, how's life with the devil?"
"Sandy!" Kirsten scolded.
"No Mrs. Cohen its alright," Marissa responded, "It's better than I thought it would be."
Marissa could see her dad look disappointed. "But I can't wait to move back in with Dad, if Mom ever lets me."
"I have news," Hailey said, breaking the silence. "I got a job, or rather Dad gave me one, but that still counts."
"That's great," Jimmy smiled, happy for Hailey. “When do you start?"
She looked at Kirsten, "In a week, as Kirsten's assistant!"
"What about Andrea?" Kirsten spoke, truly shocked.
"Dad fired her or is going to or something."
"I like Andrea," Kirsten whimpered.
"Not as much as Dad likes me," Hailey boasted. "Besides I heard she overheard something she wasn't supposed to."
Marissa stiffened; she had overheard something she wasn't supposed to, too. Only thing was, Caleb didn't have the luxury of being able to fire her.
"So Marissa," Sandy spoke, "Ryan's coming over for supper tomorrow and of course you're invited."
Marissa's heart jumped, Ryan was coming home, this day was just getting better and better!
"That would be really grea…Wait, I promised Caleb and Mom that I'd go out for supper with them, but could I come over after?” she pleaded and prayed for a yes.
"Of course," Kirsten replied, putting Marissa's worries to rest.
"May I take your order?" a server asked, walking over to the table.
"You sure can," Sandy spoke. "I'm starving!"
--
With every tug and pull, Seth could feel himself dying a little inside. He could hardly breathe, needed to rest.
"Seth keep going," Sarah yelled, knowing of Seth's exhaustion and wishing she were strong enough to pull.
With Sarah on his back and Summer in his heart, Seth took a gulp of air and continued.
Focus on Summer, Summer, Seth thought to himself, Summer give me strength!
--
Summer sat in her room, her face buried in a pillow, crying. Summer’s dad slowly opened the door to her room.
"You all right?" he asked.
"Fine," she mumbled, her face seemingly attached to the pillow.
"Summer, sweetheart, you can tell me anything, you used to tell me everything."
"I know,” she said, sitting up and wiping her tears away. "But…"
"But, what?"
Almost under her breath she whispered, "But…I love him, Dad, and you hate him."
"You love him, are you sure?"
"I feel it, and so does he."
"Are you happy?" he asked.
"When Seth's around I am."
"Well as long as he is in love with you and I love you, then we have one thing in common,” he said as he hugged his daughter, who had started to tear up again.
"Thanks Dad." This time tears of happiness.
"I think I'm going to try to get to sleep, I haven't slept much lately."
Mr. Roberts smiled as he released his daughter from the hug. "I love you." With that he turned around and walked out of Summer's room.
The sun began to go down and its orange hues rocked Summer to sleep…
Summer…focus on Summer!
Summer's eyes shot open as she awoke, from what seamed like a dream. Seth was in trouble! She got out of bed and went over to her ocean view window. Looking at the deep blue water she thought, Seth, I love you, come home.
--
Seth felt like he was dying, being killed by the relentless waves. He was close to the boat, but in his mind eternity was closer.
Seth, I love you. Come home.
"Summer!" Seth said out loud, as he heard the words in his head. They were so close, yet it was impossible…
"What?" Sarah called, from behind Seth.
I miss you, Summer! Seth thought, closing his eyes only for a second. With his newfound strength Seth reached onto The Summer Breeze and firmly grasped the boat’s deck.
"Climb up!" Seth yelled.
Sarah climbed onto the deck of the boat and pulled the fatigued Seth onto the deck with her.
"Let's go home," she said.
"Where's home?" Seth asked wearily.
--
Summer's eyes turned away from her window, it must have been just a dream. She lay back down on her bed, and then drifting off into sleep, She suddenly awoke to hear the words…
I miss you, Summer!
“Seth!” she yelled, sitting up in bed. The words felt so real, almost like he was actually saying them.
End Of Chapter 8
Chapter 9 – Hey Summer, It's Seth
Josh stood outside a large house, its occupants obviously very rich. He reached for the door, froze for a second, afraid of who might open it, and knocked. Some time passed and the door slid open. A handsome older male stood in the doorway.
"Can I help you?" the man asked.
"Ya," Josh spoke nervously, "Is Summer home?"
"You must be Josh." Mr. Roberts sighed as Josh nodded, answering his question. "How're the nuts Josh?" Mr. Roberts laughed.
"Ya...they're good... Can I see Summer?"
Mr. Roberts responded quickly. "Sorry, I can't let you in."
"Please," Josh pleaded, "I just want to apologize."
"Well I was given very detailed instructions from my daughter not to let you in."
Josh hung his head in shame and turned around, starting to walk down the steps.
"But…"
Josh turned around quickly, hoping for another chance.
"I'll tell Summer you're here to apologize and maybe, maybe I'll let you in." Mr. Roberts shut the door, and Josh heard him lock it just to make sure he didn't slip in or something.
Josh looked around, once again admiring the oversized house. He walked over to the steps by the door, waiting for it to open.
"Josh what the hell are you doing here, you ass!" Summer yelled, closing the door behind her.
Josh got up from the steps and walked onto the manicured lawn. "Listen I just wanted to say…"
Summer began to yell, interrupting him, "You know what don't!"
"Listen please," Josh said, walking towards Summer and touching her arm lightly.
Summer slapped him, feeling his hands on her arm, "Don't! Ever! Touch me!"
Summer turned around, headed for the house.
"Wait…I'm sure Seth has changed."
"He has!" she yelled.
"I'm sure he has," Josh responded, "He must have if he got you."
She blushed at the slight complement, "Ya, I guess you're right."
"Forgive me." Josh looked directly into Summer's eyes and she could see he was truly sorry.
"Well I did kick you pretty hard." Summer walked back to the steps and sat down. "How are the boys?"
Josh followed Summer's lead and sat down beside her. "What? Oh... they're fine, as long as I never want to have kids," Josh said with a laugh.
"Ya, well I might be doing the world a favor… Kidding!"
"What are you doing now, maybe we could go to the pier and get a Balboa bar or something…" Josh asked, grabbing Summer's hand.
"Ummmmm…" Summer mumbled, moving her hand out of Josh's.
"As friends, of course," Josh clarified, putting his hand back on his own lap.
"Sure, as friends."
Summer got up and walked to her door and yelled.
"Dad, I'm going to the pier with Josh!" Summer yelled loudly into the house.
"You don't have to yell Summer, I'm right here," Mr. Roberts said, opening the door wider so Summer could see him. "I need to go get your step mom from her classes, so I'll be back in a while."
"Bye dad," she said sweetly, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Summer and Josh walked to the car, as friends. Josh got into the driver's seat, started the car and drove away at the same time as Mr. Roberts.
Inside the Roberts home there was silence only for a moment, and then a loud ringing came from Summer's room.
"Ring…Ring…Ring…" Summer's cell phone screeched, lying on her bed.
The phone rang six times before switching to the answering machine.
"Hey Summer, it's Seth…"
--
Seth drew enough strength to stand up, still gasping for air, from his death-defying swim in the rough ocean waters. He grabbed onto the mast of the boat, steadying himself and stumbling to a rope that was holding the sails. Releasing the tight knot, he gave the rope a quick tug and he shifted the sails back to port. The next fifteen minutes were the most enduring time of Seth's young life. In the short time, that felt like days, Seth contemplated what had just happened, had he just heard Summer's voice, was it real…no, it couldn't be.
The Summer Breeze pulled up at 6:52 onto the secondary docks, where Seth had docked his boat before, the boat's hull slightly damaged from the hellish water. From the dark sky, raindrops began to lightly fall. By the time Seth had finished packing up his boat the rain went from slight to furious!
"Let's go," Seth yelled over the rain.
"Where?" Sarah yelled back.
"I think I saw a café across the street from the docks," Seth said, moving closer to Sarah.
"Let's go there," she responded with excitement, "I need a coffee, bad."
The two walked off the docks, across the street and darted into the coffee shop. The small café was packed with sailors, who like him, where driven indoors by the storm.
--
The doorbell rang and Kirsten and Sandy walked to the door and opened it.
"Ryan, Theresa, always a pleasure," Sandy welcomed them in.
"Hi," Ryan said, giving a nod to Sandy and walking over to Kirsten, wrapping his muscular arms around her.
"Sorry about the Mom thing," he whispered into Kirsten's ear.
"It's quite alright," she said, releasing Ryan, "It's nice to see you…son."
The small group of people walked into the kitchen.
"Well I was planning on eating outside, but it looks like it's going to rain," Kirsten whimpered, slightly disappointed.
"The only day where you plan to eat outside it rains," Ryan said sarcastically.
"Well I can see that Seth has been rubbing off on you." Sandy laughed as he patted Ryan on the back.
It was too late for Sandy to catch his words, before he let the meant-to-be joke slip from his mouth. Damn, he thought to himself, seeing both Ryan and Kirsten's faces tighten at the mention of Seth's name.
"The sky's looking pretty black out there, do you think it will rain hard?" Ryan said with concern, looking at Sandy. "Do you think Seth will be alright?"
--
"So where are you staying Seth?" Sarah asked, as they headed to the back of the long line.
"I don't really have a hotel room right now, I'll get one though," Seth said, thinking of Summer.
"Well there are lots of hotels around." Sarah and Seth took a step closer to the front of the line.
"Where are you staying?" Seth asked.
"At the Mermaid Hotel..."
"Awe, the fine nationwide chain of Mermaid Hotels," Seth spoke, remembering the night he and Ryan had stumbled upon Julie and Luke.
"With my boyfriend," Sarah finished.
Seth froze; her boyfriend was here, what was he doing with her?
"My boyfriend and I come here once a year on a sailing trip," she said, mumbling almost incoherently.
"Can I help you sir?" the café worker asked. "Sir, can I help you!"
"Seth," Sarah yelled.
Seth responded, shaken, "What?"
"Order," she demanded.
"Too coffees, one regular and one Decaf, for Miss Demanding over here." Seth joked.
Sarah slapped Seth's arm, "Two regulars."
The two walked over to the only table left in the café, sat down and talked. After some time Seth stood up.
"I'm going to try to call Summer right now."
Seth walked over to a payphone, inserted a quarter and dialed. Seth let the phone ring six times before it switched to the answering machine.
"Hey Summer, it's Seth... I just wanted to talk, I'll try calling you back after I eat tonight…I miss you."
Seth hung up and walked back to the table.
"Want to get out of here and get some grub?" Seth asked.
"Sure."
Seth stared at Sarah as they walked out of the café, "So tell me about this boyfriend…"
"Well, his name's Zak…
--
Zak walked a few steps to his right, walking by Sarah and grabbing a rope on his boat, The Sunshine. He sat down, after turning the sails, and placed his arm around Sarah. She smiled as the boat sped closer to port.
"So this weekend will be fun, you'll see," Zak said and tightened his grip around Sarah, trying to reassure her.
"I know," Sarah said dimly.
She knew it wouldn't be fun. Every year the two went on the same trip, parked in the same dock, Zak would disappear with his friends for the first day and on the second she, Zak and his stupid immature friends would make fun of her, then Zak would apologize and they would go back. She had dated him for five years, every year the same, maybe this year would be different, probably not.
"So what are we going to do when we get there," she asked, praying for Zak not to ditch her again this year.
"Well…you know the drill, I'll drop you off and you can go shopping or something."
Sarah sighed, "What time are we going to meet?"
"Well," Zak continued, knowing he was on thin ice, "I got a room at the Mermaid Hotel, so you can check in and we can meet like, tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Sarah yelled, "What about tonight."
Zak took his arm off of Sarah, "Look I don't know how late I'm going to be."
"Fine," she grunted angrily, seeing the docks appear a little over mile in fount of them.
"What, so you're mad at me!" Zak yelled back.
Sarah looked at her rich, water-polo-playing, little piece of shit boyfriend. He was hot, rich and had the personality of a dead rat. She calmed herself before speaking.
"No, I'm not mad," she lied. "I'll just go shopping or something and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Great," the dead rat smiled. "So where should I drop you off at?"
"The main dock, then you can go park your boat on the secondary docks."
"Anything for my girl," Zak said and Sarah thought to herself, shut the hell up!
The small sailboat pulled up to the main dock and Sarah put a fake smile on her face, hiding the anger beneath. She jumped off, waving good-bye as Zak sailed away.
From there he sailed to the secondary docks to find some wimpy kid and his boat, The Summer Breeze, in his docking space.
"Hey buddy!" Zak yelled at him. "You're going to have to move your boat."
"Why?" A skinny, black curly haired boy, yelled back.
Zak's boat floated up to the dock. He got off and tied his boat to a wooden pole at the end of the dock. "Because every time I come here this is where I park my boat."
The skinny boy walked closer to him, "Well you are just going to have to dock your boat somewhere else this time, I guess."
"You know kid," Zak threatened, "I'm bigger then you and if I have to I'm willing to force you. So why don't you just make this easy on yourself and unpack your boat and move it?"
"Come on," the skinny boy pleaded, "It took me forever to unpack my boat dude."
Zak just gave an uncaring, bored look.
The boy turned around and walked closer to his boat. "Okay."
"That's better, you little shit." Zak said, laughter in his voice.
The boy turned around and began to walk down the dock to The Summer Breeze. Then suddenly he stopped and turned around, facing Zak.
"You know," he said, "I don't think I'm going to be able to move my boat."
Zak walked over to him. "Well I guess I'm going to have to use a little force." He rolled up his sleeves, preparing to fight.
Then, almost in slow motion, the kid made a fist and in perfect form hit Zak, he tried to block, but the punch connected perfectly, hitting him square between the eyes, knocking Zak flat on his back against the wooden dock.
"Now I'm I going to have to hit you again," the boy said confidently.
"No, umm I think I should try a new docking location anyway." Josh stood up from the ground, his head pounding from the hit of both the punch and the hard dock. And, almost in a run, untied his boat.
"Stupid little shit," Zak muttered to himself, "If I ever see him again, I'm going to kill him!"
--
Josh's car rolled to a stop at the pier.
"Shit," Summer said, thinking out loud.
"What's wrong?" Josh asked, truly concerned.
"I forgot my cell phone at home," she sobbed, tears beginning to roll down her face.
"I have mine, if you need to make a call." Trying to stop Summer's tears, Josh reached in to his pocket and pulled out his cell, handing it to Summer.
"No, it's just… I'm waiting for a call from Seth and I don't want to miss it," she stopped crying, knowing how stupid this must look to Josh, her crying over leaving her cell phone at home.
"Oh, where is he, I can pick him up and we can hang out or something?"
"Actually," she wondered if she could trust him. He did seem truly sorry. " I really don't know where he is."
"You don't know where he is?" Josh said questioningly, almost starting more tears from Summer's eyes.
"I know where he's going."
"Where?"
"Tahiti. He said he would phone me today."
Josh smiled, "Well let's go back to your house and get that cell phone."
Summer smile and thought see might have judged him a little too early, the Seth thing was just a flash from the past and she now realized he'd really grown up.
--
Sarah walked into a few stores, not really looking, just trying to keep herself busy, blowing off some steam at the store clerks. She walked out of a fruit and vegetable shop and began walking down the narrow sidewalk when she ran smack into a warm body, knocking her to the ground.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," the boy said in utter shock.
"Its okay," Sarah sighed. "These things always happen to me."
"I'm really sorry," he repeated as he reached out a hand to help her up. She smiled and took the stranger's hand.
"Thank you," she said with a love-struck grin on her face.
"Uh, no problem," he said, pulling her to her feet. Sarah swung up off the ground and into his arms.
"Oh," he winced, as her arms slipped around his slim waist.
"Sarah," she whispered into his ear.
"What?"
"My name's Sarah."
"Oh yeah I'm…" He trailed off
"You're who?" Sarah smiled. Realizing, that in the shock he must have forgotten his own name.
"Seth," he blurted out, more loudly than he obviously meant to.
Sarah laughed, "Well now that the whole neighborhood knows."
--
Josh's car pulled up on Summer's driveway. Together they exited the car and walked into the house. Summer ran up the stairs to her bedroom, Josh following behind. She reached for her cell phone and saw the blinking message.
"Josh thanks for everything," Summer said sincerely. " I think I just want to be alone right now."
"Are you sure, Summer?"
She shot him an 'I beg you look.'
"I'm going to go now, call me sometime."
"I will, this was nice… seeing you."
Josh turned around and alone walked down the stairs to the door.
Summer pressed a button on her cell phone and braced herself for the message.
"Hey Summer, it's Seth... I just wanted to talk, I'll try calling you back after I eat tonight…I miss you."
Summer mentally kicked herself and tears rolled down her eyes. She stood up, walking to the window, touching the chilled glass, and whispered.
"I miss you Seth…"
End of Chapter 9
Chapter 10 - Something's Always Missing
"I'm stuffed," Seth said, his stomach bloated from eating more then he ever had in his life. He and Sarah sat across from each other, the leftovers of the expensive food Seth couldn't shove down his throat still on the table, next to freshly cut flowers. "You know my dad always says we shouldn't leave leftovers."
Sarah, knowing full well how much Seth had eaten, said, "Fine, finish it up." Sarah stared at Seth, internally laughing but keeping a straight face, he was close to the breaking point, or blowing-up-from-the-inside-out point.
"Uhmmm...," Seth sighed and sat back down. "You know what, I think I'll get it to go."
In perfect timing a waiter walked by and stopped at their table. "I'll just set this here." The waiter pulled out a black book, containing the bill, and set it down on the table. "Should I wrap this up for you sir?"
"You sure can, my good man," Sarah said jokingly.
The two stood from the table. Seth grabbed the bill and walked to the cash register. He opened the small black book and almost exploded by looking at the three digit number that was printed on the small white paper. I should have 'borrowed' more from mom and dad's safe. Seth reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet, when Sarah grabbed his arm.
"Don't worry I've got it," Sarah said, pulling out a credit card and handing it to the waiter.
"Thanks." The waiter smiled and handed a take-home box to Seth. "Here's your tuna." The waiter reached for Sarah's card.
"And leave a big tip for yourself." Sarah put the card in his hand. He took it and swiped it through the machine, a wide smile on his face.
"How the hell can you afford that good a meal?" Seth asked with a grin.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." The waiter handed her back her magic card and she and Seth walked out of the De Praha.
--
Marissa, Hailey and Jimmy all sat around a wooden oak table, meters from Jimmy's kitchen. There was no talk, just staring. Jimmy glanced at his watch...5:21. Then a minute later Hailey glanced at the time.
"What time do you have to leave for supper?" Hailey asked Marissa.
"For the twelfth time 5:30!" Marissa growled. She was happy for her dad, liked Hailey, but it was so obvious what would go on after she had left for the night. She stared intensely into Hailey's eyes, truly frustrated at the number of times she had been asked.
"Sorry," Hailey grunted back.
"You know what," Marissa said, "I think I'll wait outside."
Jimmy and Hailey smiled and quickly hid their smiles from Marissa's gaze.
Have fun having sex, Marissa thought to herself as she grabbed her coat and headed for the door. Then a smile grew upon her face, as she remembered the time Summer had told her about the stop-all-relations-between-Seth-and-Anna plan. She turned around to see the unlikely couple staring at each other.
"You know, you two are so cute together, you look so alike, I mean you like the same things and stuff, you could so be like brother and sister or something." Marrissa turned and exited her old house, a smile on her face, sadness in her heart.
Inside both Hailey and Jimmy, who before were ready to pounce on each other, sat frozen.
"I'm going to go," Hailey spoke grimly.
"Ya, see you later."
--
"Well this isn't my magic card." Sarah returned the card to her pocket. "It's my boyfriends, I stole it from him."
"I'm so proud of you," Seth said, concerned. "Now lets go, I need you to get a hotel room."
"I'm not that easy," Sarah laughed.
"That's not what I meant...Oh joking, funny, I get it."
"Ya kidding..." Sort of, she thought to herself.
The two began walking down the well lit street. The stars shone above and the cool breeze washed over the nearby ocean and into their hair.
"So where do you live?" Seth asked.
"In Newport, in the numbered streets. My parents are about to make a big business deal with some construction company or something."
"Which one?" Seth said, geuinely interested.
"I told you it's not that inportant, other things are more inportant now."
"Is it the Newport Group?"
"Seth...I don't know!" Sarah said, mad at him for deflecting her flirty comment.
"Sorry." Seth's eyes met the ground, a little shocked at Sarah's sudden outburst.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. Let's take a shortcut." Sarah grabbed Seth's hand, and before he could protest she pulled him into a dark alley, beside a local bar, and into a deep kiss. The moon reflected off of Sarah's hair as Seth opened his eyes, from this exact angle she really looked like Summer.
"Oh God Summer," he mumbled, pulling away from Sarah, not knowing how long the kiss had lasted.
--
"Beer," Zak yelled to the bartender over the loud music. He nodded and opened the top to a bottle. Zak stood at the bar, waiting for a drink, his friends sitting at a table in the local bar.
Zak grabbed his drink. "Thanks." He walked to his table, four others sitting around him. "Anyone want to go out for a smoke?"
One of his friends nodded and stood up from the table.
"Got a light?" his friend asked once they were outside.
"Ya, here."
'Excuse me," a pretty, young girl asked. "You're blocking the door!"
"Sorry," Zak hissed.
"Come on Zak, lets go in the alley, we're blocking the door."
"Ya, so I've heard," Zak laughed.
He turned the corner of the alley to see a young couple kissing. It was too dark to make out their faces. His friend followed, and, seeing the two in the alley, laughed.
"God, I can see some people can't afford a hotel room."
"Ya I know what you mean dude." Zak said as the couple pulled away, the guy mumbling something under his breath as Zak took a puff of his smoke.
--
"I can't do this," Seth whispered to Sarah.
"I'll never tell anyone."
"I know it's just, I love her."
Sarah fround and then smiled. "You do, you really love her. Wow, I wish my boyfriend loved me as much...Let's go."
Sarah grabbed Seth's hand. He frowned at the intimate contact.
Sarah spoke gently. "We can be friends."
"I'd like that." Seth, feeling more comfortable, wrapped his arm around her. Her hair was still glowing as they passed out of the alley and back into the light of the street.
--
"That's Sarah," Zak's friend said, shocked, as Seth and Sarah passed under a street light.
And that's the skinny kid that punched me, Zak thought to himself, with my girl! Zak's face grew bright red with anger.
"Are you going to go over there?"
Anger ripped through Zak, kill the kid, he thought. He took a deep breath of head-clearing air before speaking.
"No, not yet." Sarah and Seth crossed the street, as Zak and his friend had been talking and walked into the Mermaid Hotel lounge. "We now know where they are, lets go back inside and get the gang, finish my beer, then we'll kick that scrawny kids ass." More like kill him, he thought to himself as he reached in his pocket, making sure he had his knife.
--
"Seth will be fine." Sandy announced loudly, breaking the chilling silence.
Theresa, Ryan, Sandy and Kirsten stood in the living room. Three of the four worried about Seth. Ryan worried about what he had done.
"It's all my fault," Ryan said, sitting down on the warm couch he so fondly remembered.
"No Ryan it's not your fault," Kirsten sat down beside him. "Seth just couldn't deal with you leaving."
"Ya, so it's my fault."
"No, you had to leave and as much as we all didn't want you to go, you did what you knew you had to do. We're all proud of you."
"But If I didn't leave Seth wouldn't have..."
"Seth couldn't handle you leaving, that's his fault, not yours."
Ryan raised his head, realizing he had hidden his eyes with his hands. "I wish I could talk to him, you know, convince him to come home."
"You can," Sandy said. "He's supposed to be calling us tonight.
"And he better," Kirsten warned, as if Seth was in the room.
Ryan brightened a little as Theresa sat down beside him, rubbing his back lightly.
Kirsten and Sandy shot each other a look. Then, with encouragement from Kirsten, Sandy spoke.
"So are you two...together?"
That's when Ryan felt Theresa's arm rubbing his back, back and forth, he stood up quickly.
"Umm, no," he mumbled, obviously embarrassed, "What time is Seth calling?" Ryan said, desperately trying to change the subject.
Sandy, obviously catching on quickly, spoke. "Well before you change the subject, Marissa is going to stop by after supper, so if you are together, I think you should tell her."
"We're not," Ryan quickly said.
--
Seth opened the door to the Mermaid Hotel, holding it opened for Sarah.
"Wow this place is so much nicer then the one in Newport."
"Ya I know, it's totally redone, with the best new addition, the bar."
They began to walk over to the bar, when something caught Seth's attention...a pay phone. Seth turned and walked over to the phone, followed by Sarah.
"Listen I might be a while, if you want to sit down or something," Seth said.
"No, thats alright, I'd like to hear how things turn out."
Seth had told Sarah a lot about his life, Ryan, Marissa and Summer.
"If that's alright with you..." Sarah finished.
"No, that's fine."
Seth reached into his pocket, pulling out a quarter, and slipped it into the coin slot and dialed his home number.
--
A loud scream reverberated throughout the Cohen's house.
"My homemade meal has arrived," Kirsten said heading to the door. She opened it to see John.
"Hi Mrs.Cohen," John said as he and Kirsten exchanged money for food.
Kirsten said thanks and goodnight to John, sadly they knew each other on a first name bases.
--
Summer lay on her bed, alone in her room, thinking of Seth again. She had to get out, go for a walk, call Marissa. She stood from her bed and headed down her stairs to the main floor. Her dad was on the phone with a potential client, who most likely wanted a boob job or something.
"I'm going out!"
Her father smiled, being worried about the long moping sessions in her room.
"Bye."
Summer exited the house, her cell phone firmly in hand.
Summer began to walk, eyes focused straight ahead of her, but she couldn't focus, everything reminded her of him.
Flashback
Summer Roberts sat at a kissing booth, beside the school hottie, Brad, giving out kisses for charity.
"There you go," Summer laughed, pulling her lips away from a complete stranger.
The next in line handed Summer ten dollars, when from behind him, Seth emerged.
"Here you go," Seth said as he handed the kid ten dollars, "Full refund, thanks for coming." Then increasing his volume yelled "Show's over guys, thanks for coming though, it's been great having you."
Brad looked angrily at the skinny boy bugging Summer. "This kid bothering you Summer?" He asked.
Summer ripped her angry gaze away from Seth. "No it's okay Brad...Thanks."
"Ya thanks," Seth said sarcastically.
Summers eyes darted over the large crowd, obviously extremely nervous.
"Cohen you're making a scene!"
Seth confidently replied, "I know, I need to talk to you."
"Later!" she grunted angrily.
"Okay," Seth said. He was unwilling to back down, desperate times called for desperate measures. Seth put his hands on the desk and pushed up so he was now standing on the table, high above the crowd.
"Lets talk up here."
"Oh my God," Summer gasped.
"I know you're scared Summer."
"Ya, of you."
"You'll kiss all these other guys, but you won't kiss me! Acknowledge me now or lose me forever.'
"You're dating this emo geek" Brad laughed.
"Yes Brad, She's dating this emo geek." Seth turned to the crowd, "that's right, I'm a big dork and I listen to emo and I'm dating her."
"Why are you doing this?" Summer asked, hoping, praying he would stop.
"Because Summer I like you this much and if you don't feel the same way about me then... Someones going to have to give me a hand down, because it's really high up here and I could fall and that would be embarrasing...More embarrassing."
Brad rolled his eyes as awkward silence filled the crowd, Seth was afraid and looking for support held out his hand for Summer.
Summer looked around hesitantly at her reputation going down the drain. Seth moved his hand closer, seeing the dismay, the fear in Summer's eyes.
Then pushing all thoughts out of her mind, friends, reputation, her life, she only saw Seth. Summer smiled as she took Seth's hand and stood beside him, the crowd gasped, Summer Roberts with Seth Cohen?
"I can't believe this," Summer said in amazement.
Seth smiled, "It all ends with a big public make out session."
Summer Roberts and Seth Cohen's lips slowly moved towards each other and when they touched the crowd gasped again.
Summer, pulling away, spoke. "That'll be ten bucks Cohen."
"That's for a worthy cause."
End Flashback
Ring...Ring...Ring.
Summer looked down at her phone in her hand, it had to be Seth.
--
"Just give me a minute so I can put this food on plates so we can all pret | |
